Scholl Nail Beauty Set

 RRP: £40

--What does the promo say?--
"This useful Scholl Nail Beauty Set includes 13 different manicure and pedicure attachments, and an integrated nail dryer."

 --Packaging--
The box is Scholl's usual cheerful blue and yellow, which means you immediately associate it with a trustworthy brand, and implies that the product will be effective. The nail beauty set itself is compact and practical, meaning you could easily take it with you on holiday or to a sleepover, without it a) falling open in your bag and spilling all the attachments everywhere, or b) it taking up too much space. Each attachment has its own individual space in the carry case, and the nail drier is well integrated into the tray as well. The lid is an attractive blue-green colour and is made of see-through plastic, evoking images of sea, spas, and swimming pools, which all adds to the general notion of well-being. There's room enough, too, between the lid and appliance to ensure that there is enough space for the mains wire (no matter how haphazardly you shove it in there) and the instruction leaflet (which comes in English and Arabic).

--Usage--
The aforementioned instruction leaflet is clear and concise, and comes with a handy diagram that labels each attachment with a letter for logical identification. It would be even better if each attachment had the corresponding letter marked on it, or if the kit came with stickers for you to mark them yourself - some attachments are quite small and look similar to others. Still, you could always do this yourself with a permanent marker. The two-speed manicure pen is easy to use and not at all painful (even if the whirring sound is a little reminiscent of a trip to the dentist), and can be used either wirelessly or while plugged into the mains (the same is true of the unit itself when you wish to activate the nail dryer). The attachments are also easy to clip into place and then to remove, which along with the painlessness of treatment makes the set ideal for beginners who may lack confidence with professional-seeming instruments.

--Results--
The various files shape nails and cuticles effortlessly, leaving a smooth rather than ragged finish. The buffing discs are also effective once you've finished evening out the nails that have a rougher texture. However, the cones for removing rough skin are perhaps the stars of the show, transforming your lizard feet in moments. The integrated nail dryer is also convenient and does the job well.

--Value for money--
The efficacy and simplicity of this kit makes the £40 price tag a pleasant surprise. Scholl could easily charge double for it and it would still be worth it. However, the £40 RRP keeps it accessible for all, and it's perfect for keeping your feet in top condition in between (or perhaps even in place of) professional pedicure sessions. I was sent mine for free by Scholl's lovely PR, but would definitely pay out for it and recommend it to others (FWIW, Amazon and Argos are the main suppliers).

perfect partners
Velvet Smooth Essential Moisture Cream, £5.99
Velvet Smooth Foot Soak, £6.99
Colour Pop Foot Spa, £30 
Fungal Nail Treatment, £19.40

Nailner Repair Spray

 RRP: £21.99 for 8ml
 
--What does the promo say?--

"Nail fungus is a common and irritating problem that can cause discomfort and embarrassment. There is now an easy solution: New! Nailner Repair Spray - a nail protecting innovation. Its unique, patented carrier system allows the ingredients to saturate the nail and combat the fungus at its core by changing the nail's environment to the disadvantage of the fungus. Improvements are visible in just a matter of weeks! Clinically tested, Nailner Repair Spray is an innovative and new over-the-counter product. The ingredients have been shown to help treat nail fungus by protecting the newly grown nail from getting infected. The handy spray allows an easy and quick application. Each spray contains approximately 100 single applications. Say Goodbye to Nail Fungus!"

--Packaging--

The white and teal-coloured spray bottle is small, neat and functional. Would slip easily into an overnight bag for trips away and takes up little space in the bathroom. However, the spray function itself doesn't always work well: sometimes it sprays perfectly over the whole nail, while at other times the liquid dribbles down the side of the spray canister.

--Application--

As mentioned above, how easy spraying the affected nails is can vary. However, it's not usually too difficult to get the liquid to come into contact with the nails - even if you have to run your finger down the side of the canister and smear it onto the nail yourself. Integrating the twice-daily required spray into your routine is also not difficult - spray it on before your deodorant, or before brushing your teeth, so that it has time to dry (not that this takes long - especially compared to treatment nail polishes designed to have the same effect). You also don't need to eschew nail varnish for it to work - it's contact with the nail bed, not contact with the nail itself, that's important.

--Appearance--

A completely clear watery liquid that dried invisibly on the nail. 

--Scent--

The essential oils included in the spray are detectable but not overwhelming. However, they're clearly natural, which makes a change from chemical-smelling products.

--Effects--

I'd been having problems with a nail on my right foot for at least 18 months, whereby even treatments prescribed by the supposedly top French medical system had not worked. THIS WORKED. Thank the Lord :)  I'll now be using it on my big toe, which has just started to develop a problem on the same foot, to try to nip things in the bud immediately.

--Value for money--

I was surprised by the £21.99 price tag - but when my free tube from Nailner runs out, I would happily spend my own pennies on this. Boots also have a buy-one-get-one-half-price offer on at present, meaning that two tubes would cost you £33 rather than £44 at the moment. A tube lasts AGES as well, so I would definitely recommend it - it's the only product I've tried that works.

perfect partners

Nailner Repair Pen, £20.75 

Nailner Repair Brush, £20.75

Nail Bar Review: Hollywood Nails, Maidenhead

I love getting my nails done (is there any girl that doesn't?) but this hardly ever happens for a few reasons. Number one: the expense. This is a common problem in many establishments, and one of the reasons I practically never get my nails done at the beauty salon where I'm actually a member, where even at the members' rate, a manicure and pedicure would set me back nearly €50 a time. Secondly, there's the pain. I've also tried another chain that's close to where I live, and the girls that work there are so rough with you that it makes me wince just thinking of it. Definitely not what you want when you're paying for something that's supposed to relax you and make you feel beautiful! Finally, on a more frivolous note, there's the fact that my nail colour never seems to last. I know this is down to me and my bad habit of basically being orally fixated and constantly having my fingers in my mouth - but if it isn't going to last, I may as well not bother paying for it.

However, at Hollywood Nails, which is a salon round the corner from my parents' home in Maidenhead, Berkshire, those first two problems are definitely eliminated. There you can have a manicure and pedicure for £35, which at today's exchange rate comes to €40 - a good saving compared to the €50 I would normally have to pay for the same. Obviously the amount you save depends on the exchange rate, but I find it good value primarily for the second reason I mentioned above. The treatments are always so gentle, yet effective: not a single suck-your-teeth-in moment to be had. You also get to sit in their massage chair and read trashy magazines while they turn your lizard feet into perfect paws, so it's a relaxing experience in more ways than one.

There are also other reasons I choose this salon. Staff are friendly and discreet as well as being professional, and they also offer a range of other services that I'm yet to try, such as their maxi facial (also £35). The array of nail colours available for manicure and pedicure is mind-boggling (well over 200) and the addition of colour is included in the price of the treatment (which it isn't at my usual salon), which makes a huge difference psychologically. The salon itself is also within walking distance of my parents' home, which is practical, and they offer discount coupons via their website, as well as a loyalty scheme. Such friendly and good-value service is rare in France, so I'm always happy to visit whenever I'm in the UK. Now, if I could just keep my fingers out of my mouth...!

http://www.myhollywoodnails.com/
9 Queen Street, Maidenhead SL6 1NB

Talika Nail Regenerator Serum

RRP: €28; £20
Retails at www.talika.com and at Sephora
Contains myrrh (to purify, regenerate, strengthen, soften, and act as an anti-inflammatory), benzoin (to act as an antiseptic and astringent), and incense (to restore cells and to scent the oil).

--What does the promo say?--
"Multiple wear and tear such as use of cleaning products, nail polish and acrylic nails, age and slow down nail growth by altering its structure. Nail Regenerator Serum nourishes, hydrates and restructures fragile and lifeless nails, stimulates the growth of dry, brittle, split and uneven nails, softens cuticles and heals damaged matrices. Made with three 100% natural powerful plant oils, Nail Regenerator Serum is a natural and regenerating treatment that increases your nails’ potential to grow."

--Packaging--
A neat pen-like applicator, much in the style of pen concealers etc that are currently in vogue. The modern blue and orange colour scheme stands out beautifully and the clear top and bottom of the tube are reminiscent of Thierry Mugler's lipsticks. The logo is in white capital letters and is nicely calligraphed. The only downside is that there is a little leakage around the bottom of the sponge applicator, though thankfully this is well contained by the lid and is generally minimal.

--Application--
The Talika website advises you to "apply the Nail Regenerator Serum on to the base (root) of the nails and gently massage each nail to release the active ingredients." Pretty simple stuff. It also dries quickly, and is moisturising and non-greasy. It can also be applied even if you've got nail varnish on with no adverse effects on the colour or finish of the varnish.

--Appearance--
The oil is a very pale orange, and leaves no staining or visible residue on the nails.

--Consistency--
Of perfect viscosity - not too thick and not too runny.

--Scent--
A light but beautiful musky scent.

--Long-term effects--
Excellent - even short-term, I noticed a visible difference in the strength of my usually easily breakable nails. However, you need to stick to the maintenance programme that they suggest, or your nails will soon decline in quality again (which may sound like a chore, but hey, you need to shampoo and use deodorant regularly too, right?!).

--Value for money--
For something that ONLY contains the three ingredients listed above and nothing else, most definitely works, and is travel-friendly, you are guaranteed a great product. One tube also lasts ages, and best of all, all of Talika's products are available worldwide. Doesn't get much better than that.

perfect partners
Nail Shaper, £23
Instant Manicure Set (8 treatments), £17
Hand Anti-Ageing Serum, £20

Maybelline Forever Strong Professional Nail Polish

RRP: £3.99 for 10ml
no. of shades available: 18

--What does the promo say?--
"# Perfect precision curved brush
# Rich colour and high shine
# Enriched with Iron & Calcium"

--Packaging--
Nice slender squarish bottle with a medium-sized black lid. The logo and product information is written on the transparent bottle in white writing. Nothing special going on there, though I do like how the extra layer of glass at the bottom of the bottle creates an effect of the varnish being suspended in the bottle.

--Application--
Pretty standard stuff: unscrew the lid, allow any excess polish to drip back into the bottle, and apply 1 or 2 layers to your nails after prepping them with a base coat.

--Texture/consistency--
Smooth without being runny: in other words, perfect.

--Appearance--
I personally prefer to apply two coats of any nail varnish I use, but with this varnish you could probably get away with just one. The colour I have is a really definite colour, but still suitable for everyday, and fits my overall look and colouring well.

--Longevity--
Not too bad. I'd say it lasts 4-5 days before it starts to chip.

--Ease of removal--
Fine :)

--Value for money--
For the amount you get and the quality of the varnish itself, the price is extremely reasonable and the range of available shades is impressive. Top marks.